Papers relative to the question of providing adequate means for the study of anatomy. I. Introduction by Robert Ferguson. II. An abstract of the Bill recently passed in America to facilitate the study of anatomy. III. Report from the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the manner of obtaining subjects for dissection in the schools of anatomy. IV. Address from the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons ... V. On the anatomical question, by B.C. Brodie / [Robert Ferguson].

  • Ferguson, Robert, 1799-1865
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Papers relative to the question of providing adequate means for the study of anatomy. I. Introduction by Robert Ferguson. II. An abstract of the Bill recently passed in America to facilitate the study of anatomy. III. Report from the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the manner of obtaining subjects for dissection in the schools of anatomy. IV. Address from the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons ... V. On the anatomical question, by B.C. Brodie / [Robert Ferguson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and as it is manifest that the clause in question must create a strong and mischievous prejudice against the practice of Anatomy, the Committee think themselves justified in concluding that more evil than good results from its continuance. The Committee consider that they would imperfectly discharge their duties,'if they did not state their conviction of the importance to the public interests of the subject of their inquiries. As the members of the profession are well educated, so is their ability increased to remove or alleviate human suffering. As the science of Anatomy has improved, many operations formerly thought necessary have been altogether dispensed with; most of those retained have been rendered more simple, and many new ones have been performed to the saving of the lives of patients, which were formerly thought impossible. To neglect the practice of dissection would lead to the greatest aggravation of human misery; since Anatomy, if not learned by that practice, must be learned by man¬ gling the living. Though all classes are deeply interested in afford¬ ing protection to the study of Anatomy, yet the poor and middle classes are the most so; they will be the most benefited by pro¬ moting it, and the principal sufferers by discouraging it. The rich, when they require professional assistance, can afford to employ those who have acquired the reputation of practising successfully. It is on the poor that the inexperienced commence their practice, aud it is to the poor that the practice of the lower order of practi¬ tioners is confined. It is, therefore, for the interest of the poor especially, that professional education should be rendered cheap and of easy attainment; that the lowest order of practitioners, (which is the most numerous,) and the students on their first entry into practice, may be found well instructed in the duties of their profession. Such, on an attentive consideration of the Evidence adduced, is the deliberate judgment of the Committee on the matters submitted to them ; and it now remains for the House to consider whether it will not be expedient to introduce, in the course of the ensuing Session some legislative measure, which may give effect to the recommendations contained in the present Report. 22d Julv, 1828.